James Edward Cheek (December 4, 1932 – January 8, 2010)
was president emeritus of
Howard University
Howard University (Howard) is a Private university, private, University charter#Federal, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C. It is Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, classifie ...
. He was born in
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
Roanoke Rapids () is a city in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 15,754 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Roanoke Rapids Micropolitan Statistical Area, and is also an anchor city of the Rocky Mo ...
.
Howard University President (1968–1989)
In 1989, Cheek appointed
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee (RNC) is a U.S. Political action committee, political committee that assists the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republi ...
Chairman
Lee Atwater
Harvey LeRoy "Lee" Atwater (February 27, 1951 – March 29, 1991) was an American political consultant and strategist for the Republican Party. He was an adviser to US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush and chairman of the Repub ...
as a member of the Howard University Board of Trustees. Students rose up in protest against Atwater's appointment, disrupting Howard's 122nd anniversary celebrations, and eventually occupied the university's administration building.
Within days, both Atwater and Cheek resigned.
Personal life
Cheek was married to the former Celestine Williams, and had two children. He died on January 8, 2010, from complications of coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
References
External links
Shaw University Learning Resources Center Named in Honor of James E. Cheek*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheek, James E.
1932 births
2010 deaths
American theologians
Presidents of Howard University
African-American United States Air Force personnel
Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients
United States Air Force personnel of the Korean War
Shaw University alumni
Drew University alumni
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School faculty
People from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina